The historic downtown Aubrey is undergoing parking improvements.
The large dirt mound behind Aubrey City Hall covers more than an acre and will hold 127 public parking spots.
“We wanted to add more accessible and safe parking for events like the peanut festival,” said Ethan Keith, Infrastructure Inspector with Aubrey. “We're looking at improving the downtown infrastructure with new businesses that are coming in and adding more parking for the businesses that are existing in town.”
The first phase is expected to be completed just in time for the 40th Annual Aubrey Peanut Festival, which is set for Oct. 3.
“So, it's about 80% of the total parking spaces,” Keith said. “There's a corner on Elm Street and West Sycamore that will be developed after the first phase.”
The full project is expected to be completed by the end of October or early November.
The projected timeline was made possible through collaboration with other companies.
“We had some electric line utility pole and streetlight relocates that Greg Evans with [Texas-New Mexico Power] was able to come in and do rather quickly for me, and there would have been some delays if they weren't able to do that for us,” Keith said.
In addition, the project includes infrastructure updates.
“Approximately 1,100 linear foot of drainage improvements are being done with this project, as well as approximately 900 linear foot in water and sewer, upgrading our infrastructure downtown,” Keith said.
Along with that, there will be more ADA accessible pedestrian walkways and ramps.
This includes signage, striping and pavement markers to make the historic downtown both accessible and safer, Keith shared.
City Manager Charles Kreidler shared that the city is in its second phase of downtown development, and parking was a key component of its success.
He added that Main Street is being redesigned, including plans to add parking beyond the 127 spots and road infrastructure.
Eventually, the city government will relocate out of downtown.
“Right now, the city owns the majority of the property downtown,” Kreidler said. “... If we want to have evening and weekend activity, then the government needs to get out of downtown so that we can have that opportunity for future development.”
The city also worked with the Union Pacific Railroad to make the project possible.
“Some of that parking lot is on railroad property, and they leased that to us specifically to put parking there,” Kreidler said. “Because our plan is to develop downtown into a vibrant place where people want to come.”
As a result, it is expected to draw in more business to the area because of the appeal of having ample parking for customers.
“It's very exciting seeing the development, everything new, making an opportunity for businesses to be downtown,” Kreidler said. “It's a draw for our residents, so we're excited.”
